It's been nearly a year since I last had cable television. At first, I thought that there would be no way I'd be able to survive. Not only have I not missed it as much as I'd anticipated, but not being subjected to repeated showings of "Dazed & Confused" freed me to catch up on other things in my life; reading and old friendships, for instance. But, as much as I love to read, there are still a few television shows that I greatly enjoy. (On any given day I can go for a "Law & Order" marathon) 

With much anticipation, tomorrow marks the return of one of the best serials I've seen in years: PBS's Downton Abbey - Season Three. While America may have missed out on a supposed 12 million jobs (?), by not having elected Mitt Romney, we were able to keep PBS & Big Bird. I think that's a fairly good trade-off, don't you?

It was announced this past September that PBS's Masterpiece Theatre is now being sponsored, in part by, none other than the Ralph Lauren Corporation. Which, of course, makes total sense; a perfect marriage of quality and style. And with the addition of Shirley MacLaine, as the Countess of Grantham's mother, coming to Downton (if for no other reason than to provide brilliant verbal fisticuffs with the Dowager Countess of Grantham) this should be the best season yet. I can't wait.

Image via Google and videos via PBS

Be sure to spend tonight with those whom are equally demented. Have fun and be safe.

Merry Autumn 
It's all a farce, these tales they tell 
About the breezes sighing, 
And moans astir o'er field and dell, 
Because the year is dying. 

Such principles are most absurd, 
I care not who first taught 'em; 
There's nothing known to beast or bird 
To make a solemn autumn. 

In solemn times, when grief holds sway 
With countenance distressing, 
You'll note the more of black and gray 
Will then be used in dressing. 

Now purple tints are all around; 
The sky is blue and mellow; 
And e'en the grasses turn the ground 
From modest green to yellow. 

The seed burs all with laughter crack 
On featherweed and jimson; 
And leaves that should be dressed in black 
Are all decked out in crimson. 

A butterfly goes winging by; 
A singing bird comes after; 
And Nature, all from earth to sky, 
Is bubbling o'er with laughter. 

The ripples wimple on the rills, 
Like sparkling little lasses; 
The sunlight runs along the hills, 
And laughs among the grasses. 

The earth is just so full of fun 
It really can't contain it; 
And streams of mirth so freely run 
The heavens seem to rain it. 

Don't talk to me of solemn days 
In autumn's time of splendor, 
Because the sun shows fewer rays, 
And these grow slant and slender. 

Why, it's the climax of the year, 
The highest time of living! 
Till naturally its bursting cheer 
Just melts into thanksgiving.

Paul Laurence Dunbar

There has never been a more striking color contrast or combination than that of Black and White: from clothing to furniture, photography to artwork, and yes, even in food (B&W cookie, anyone?). It just works, beautifully. Here in California, where there are no real noticeable changes to our seasons, to signify the emergence of fall and winter, we just tend to add more black to our wardrobes. 

Years ago, there was indeed a point when I wore entirely too much black, year-round; seemingly stuck in a period of perpetual mourning, a state of sartorial abeyance. (Or so it seemed.) And while I have finally started adding bits of color to my wardrobe, looking at the images below, I now remember why I still opted to decorate my apartment in the visual romance that is Black & White: It just works… Beautifully!